A second wave of device explosions rocked Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 450, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The attacks targeted wireless communication devices used by Hezbollah in southern Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon — areas regarded as the group’s strongholds. This deadly incident follows a series of explosions on Tuesday that killed 12 people, including children, after Hezbollah members’ pagers detonated in a coordinated attack.
Hezbollah, an armed group with significant political and military influence in Lebanon, has pointed the finger at Israel for the attacks. Although Israel has yet to officially comment, the attacks come amidst escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Explosion Details and Hezbollah’s Losses
The first wave of explosions took place on Tuesday, with thousands of pagers detonating simultaneously after their users received what appeared to be a message from Hezbollah. These explosions killed 12 people and injured 2,800 others. On Wednesday, explosions struck again, this time targeting walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives. According to reports, these devices blew up during funerals for some of the Tuesday victims, further contributing to the death toll and chaos.
The Lebanese Red Cross responded with over 30 ambulances to various explosion sites, including Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced that 13 of its fighters, including a 16-year-old boy, had died as a result of the second wave of explosions. The blasts raise concerns that Hezbollah’s entire communications network might have been compromised, further destabilizing an already tense situation.
Israeli Involvement and Hezbollah’s Response
Israeli intelligence services are suspected of being behind the attacks, with reports indicating that the walkie-talkies and pagers had been booby-trapped before being delivered to Hezbollah as part of the group’s wartime emergency communication system. Sources have suggested that these devices, including the ICOM-V82 handheld VHF radios that exploded on Wednesday, were purchased by Hezbollah five months ago. The coordination and precision of the attacks point to a sophisticated intelligence operation.
In response, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for cross-border attacks on Israeli forces near the border and in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, launching rockets at Israeli artillery positions. Israel confirmed that around 30 projectiles were fired from Lebanon on Wednesday, causing fires but no reported injuries. Israeli aircraft retaliated by striking Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while addressing the nation, pledged to return displaced northern Israeli residents to their homes safely. At the same time, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase in the war,” signaling a strategic shift of resources and forces toward the north of the country. An Israeli army division previously stationed in Gaza has been redeployed to the northern border in response to the escalating threats from Hezbollah.
International and Local Reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the situation, warning of a “serious risk of a dramatic escalation” and calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. The 11-month-long cross-border fighting, initially sparked by the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, now threatens to engulf Lebanon as well.
Many Lebanese citizens are grappling with shock and anger over the attacks. The sudden explosion of communication devices that were widely trusted by Hezbollah members has dealt a blow to the group’s credibility. Videos circulating on social media showed panicked crowds at Hezbollah funerals when the explosions began, underscoring the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the current conflict.
Hospitals in Beirut have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of casualties. An ophthalmologist in the capital reported that over 60% of the wounded had lost at least one eye, with many also losing hands and suffering severe brain damage. “This is probably the worst day of my life as a physician,” Dr. Elias Warrak told the BBC. “The number of casualties and the damage is humongous.”
Conclusion
As Hezbollah prepares for its next moves, with leader Hassan Nasrallah expected to address the nation in a speech on Thursday, Lebanon faces a precarious future. With Israel’s military now redeploying forces to the northern border, the specter of a broader conflict looms large, potentially pulling Lebanon further into the turmoil of the region’s geopolitical strife.
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